September 18, 2024

Wisconsin, US animal feed company found to have exposed workers to safety risks

US federal workplace safety inspectors found a Wisconsin, US animal food producer exposed employees to the risks of explosions, fires, and long-term respiratory illnesses from excessive amounts of airborne dust, among two dozen safety and health violations they identified.

The findings follow an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at Strauss Feeds LLC of Watertown in February 2024 after the agency received complaints of unsafe working conditions.

OSHA inspectors found the company's poor housekeeping, its failure to evaluate spaces for dust hazards, and an absence of engineering controls to reduce dust, created serious combustible and airborne dust hazards. The agency also determined Strauss Feeds did not develop a written respiratory protection programme that includes medical evaluations, fit-testing, monitoring, and training workers to recognise dust hazards.

"Unsafe levels of airborne dust can ignite suddenly, causing explosions and fires that jeopardise the safety of workers," explained OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood. "Left unchecked, these same dust hazards can cause workers long-term health issues.

"Companies that manufacture products that create excessive dust particles must use engineering systems and highly effective respiratory protection programmes to protect employees from harm."

OSHA also noted workers were exposed to hazards from walking and working surfaces, falls, confined space, and the operation of industrial trucks and forklifts when combustible dust hazards were present, increasing the risks of fire and explosion.

Inspectors cited Strauss Feeds for 19 serious and five ‘other-than-serious' safety and health violations. OSHA has assessed the company US$161,332 in proposed penalties.

Strauss Feeds was founded in 1875 and makes milk replacers for calves and other young animals. The company is in its sixth generation of family ownership.

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